when its really cold (under-8C), car doesnt start easily. it has a hard crank for a sec.
is this normal? bad for car?

 

HI,I guess that is a loaded question.....'THEY' use to say ,thats when the most wear is due to oil circulation...BUT now,from my info, building high HP harley motors and keeping up on tech stuff.......That it not an issue now adays Because of the modern light weight synthetic oil,,,its stays on the surface of parts and it flows very well on cold stat up......But also are cars have a superior dry sump oil system which helps out even more>>>>More damage would be caused by jumping on ,getting into the gas pedal right away when the engine is not warmed up.....Just my thoughts....Hope that helps

 

I start my car every winter morning with no issues. We have had temps as cold as -15F this year.

 

not even a brief hesitation.
also, the tripometer, mpg, etc all get cleared to zero.

 

Hey,,I guess I answered your question wrong,sorry...I just focused on the part about hurting it on cold temp start ups....But now to let you know,here in Chicago sometimes when my car sits for a few days with the temps in the 0's.......It does crank over slow until it starts..You know that the car does take a very slight draw of current when it sits,plus cold takes a toll on it.Since I have had my car,over the yrs,I have had the starter replaced,ignition switch and had a new battery installed ..all under extended warranty....lol......Which did not help that symptom....But then again I did not bring it in of that,as I do not think it was a problem,,,just normal winter start ups.....My radio acts up after cold [under about 25 degrees] over nite start ups......Power lites are on but no sound OR sound for a few seconds then no sound.Then if I hit the power switch a few times I will finally get sound,,then when it is warmed up and driven it never does again for that day.....Maybe your battery is on its way out,,,only because Maybe a weak battery current ,plus the draw from starter and cold motor might not be enough volts to maintain the memory once it reaches that low level,,,,then resets after the alternator boosts the power????I do not know for sure, only my guess........Good Luck

 

Id say you are on the money with that. His symptoms are typical of a weak battery.

 

None of those symptoms. I'd check your battery as stated above.

 

My symptoms were also corrected by a fresh Optima.
We have had temps here down to -30degree celsius (-22 Fahrenheit). No problem with startup.

 

I preheat my car for 30 minutes with Eberspächer petrol heater. Engine temp is +40C after start-up at -25C.
Check your battery, mine starts right away, without hesitation, even without preheating.

 

do dealers typically cover battery under CPO?